The Phenomenon of Downton Abby

I have been a fan of Masterpiece Theatre on PBS for a very long time. I recall the popularity of the original Upstairs, Downstairs series (which was a very long time ago indeed).

However, I have not witnessed anything approaching the phenomenon of Downton Abby. It first aired in the US in January of 2011, and the surge in popularity quickly followed. By the time the last episode of Season Two aired in late spring of 2012, fans were already asking when Season Three would be available. The series, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes, has won multiple industry awards, including at least eight Emmys. It has been generally credited with bringing new life and popularity back to Masterpiece Theatre and British programming in general.

This most unlikely smash hit will return for Season Three on PBS on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

To make the wait a little easier, I propose:

A Downton Abby Tea!
Thursday, November 15 at tea-time: 4:30-6:30.

We will show the final episode of Season Two, and the TV Special featuring the real-life Downton Abby, Highclere Hall. All of this while sipping some Earl Grey and munching some lovely scones.

To prepare, one can check out Seasons One and Two from the Library. (The Downton Abby DVD's have been extraordinarily popular.)

Hope to see you on November 15th! Cheerio!

Movie Lovers Unite!

I'm excited that our adult programs have enjoyed increased attendance and interest this summer, especially our movie events. We dreamed of Paris with Midnight in Paris, went on a great adventure with Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and made ourselves really hungry watching the great Julie & Julia. Many people have asked me what is next. I have some movies in mind, but I would like to ask you what movies you would like.

Keep in mind that our movie license (yes, a license is required even for a nonprofit charging no admission!) is based on a list of titles on their website. Not every suggestion will pass the list test.

I really would like to hear from all you movie lovers out there:

• What days/times would work best for you?
• What genres?
• Does anyone have suggestions for programs related to movies?
• Do we want monthly movies? (I say yes!)
• Do you have specific titles to request?
• How about foreign films? Or do we want to stick with American-made films?

Later this month, Hunger Games will be released on DVD, and we'll be scheduling a movie event showcasing this very popular movie based on Suzanne Collins' best seller trilogy. These books
have been popular with our teen and adult patrons alike.

A really delightful film I saw in Baton Rouge will be out on DVD soon: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, and an outstanding supporting cast, it is a heartfelt romp by some of the greatest British actors of our time. I hope lots of you will join us at the Library for this outstanding film.

We'll be letting everyone know dates and times for these events, and expect to present movies roughly once a month.

Please let me hear from you! Email or call at 601.445.8862 - or just drop by and see us.

See you at the movies!

We'll Always Have Paris - At Least At Your Library

The 1920's in Paris was a unique time of concentrated creativity which has never been equalled. The presence of the expatriot writers which included Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald, Sherwood Anderson, James Joyce, Ford Madox Ford, Henry Miller, T S Eliot, Anais Nin, Ezra Pound, and Gertrude Stein, created a charged atmosphere of possibilities which fueled the artistic scene as well. Ever since, readers have found the notion of this singular moment in time endlessly fascinating. Just imagine all the above-mentioned writers plus artists such as Picasso, Dali, Matisse, and the surrealist photographer and cinematographer Man Ray.  

In her first novel, The Paris Wife, Paula McClain has struck a responsive chord with readers describing Hemingway's first marriage from the perspective of his wife, Hadley. It has achieved broad popularity and undoubtedly will eventually produce a film. But last year's Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris, addresses the entire "Lost Generation" scene and indulges the viewer in the greatest daydream of all - to live in the milieu which produced some of the greatest writing and art ever.

At the Armstrong Library, our Brown Bag Book Group is currently reading The Paris Wife and on Thursday, April 26th at 4 pm, we will discuss the book and watch the Oscar-winning film Midnight in Paris.

Please contact the Library to participate in the Book Group, or just come to the showing of the movie on the 26th!